Mitsubishi Teases Hybrid Pickup Concept Ahead Of Geneva Show

Amongst all the luxury cars and exotic supercars set to debut at next month’s 2013 Geneva Motor Show will be a diesel-electric hybrid pickup concept from Mitsubishi.

The Japanese automaker today released a teaser image of its pickup concept, the GR-HEV, which it says will feature a hybrid drivetrain and be both sporty and tough.

Hybrid technology is just one facet of vehicle electrification Mitsubishi is exploring as it works on reaching its self-imposed goal of offering some kind of electrified drivetrain technology on 20 percent of its lineup by 2020.

We’ve already seen Mitsubishi launch the all-electric i-MiEV and plug-in hybrid Outlander PHEV, but now the automaker is previewing its future hybrid technology.

Mitsubishi explains that hybrid technology, which is cheaper than all-electric and plug-in hybrid technology, is ideal for heavy-duty daily requirements of pickup truck users, and this is one of the main reasons why it chose to feature its hybrid tech on such a vehicle.

The GR-HEV concept combines a diesel engine with at least two electric motors, and features Mitsubishi’s Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system.

No other details have been revealed, though we can see that the GR-HEV will be a mid-size pickup with a rugged look and advanced design features. Those side mirrors, by the way, are rearward-looking cameras instead of conventional mirrors.

In addition to its hybrid pickup concept, Mitsubishi will also unveil a new i-MiEV concept that was developed based on feedback from owners of the i-MiEV electric car.

Called the CA-MiEV, the new concept is described as “suburban” electric car with a driving range of 186 miles. The CA-MiEV concept will also feature various technologies Mitsubishi plans to introduce on future production vehicles, such as magnetic resonance wireless charging technology and smartphone activated functions.

The first press day for the 2013 Geneva Motor Show commences March 5. In the meantime, follow our complete coverage of the event via our dedicated show hub.